Squirrel-proof bird feeding apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A bird feeder includes a vessel for holding seeds. One embodiment comprises a removable access tunnel external to the vessel is coupled thereto at a seed opening in the vessel. The access tunnel, as well as a bar across a bottom portion of the access tunnel opening restricts access to seeds by other than birds. A removable seed cover for the opening held on by the access tunnel is made of a flexible material and includes a seed opening sized and shaped to restrict a number of seeds extractable on a given attempt.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of application aerial No.09/912,811 filed Jul. 25, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,257 issued Sep.2, 2003, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/222,506, filed Aug. 2, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to bird feeders. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to reducing seed loss frombird feeders, and to enabling birds to feed while preventing squirrelsfrom doing so.

[0003] For some time, bird feeders have focused on the same core design;that is, a tube type vertical feeder holding the seed, with stickperches placed at spaced intervals along the length of the tube.Openings into the tube allow the birds, once perched, to access theseeds.

[0004] These bird feeders suffer a number of shortcomings. For example,when an attempt is made by a perched bird to obtain a seed, often morethan one seed comes out. Since the bird can typically only take one seedat a time, this results in much waste. After the seeds fall to theground, they are often eaten by squirrels and other rodents. Dependingon the type of seed, this waste can be an expensive proposition for birdenthusiasts. As another example, these types of feeders suffer from seedloss due to squirrels and other rodents. The openings tend to allow easyaccess to the seeds by the rodents, as well as encourage clogging fromthe entry of rain, snow and blowing debris.

[0005] Commonly-owned and invented U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,813 issued Apr.20, 1999 provides a squirrel-proof bird feeding device comprising: aframe including a feed bed; a first screen, positioned above said feedbed; and a second screen, positioned about 0.75 inches to 1.5 inchesabove said first screen, said second screen having apertures from about0.75 to 1.5 inches. It alternatively provides a squirrel-proof birdfeeder that prevents squirrels from accessing the feed intended forbirds, said bird feeder comprising: a frame including a feed bed forplacing feed thereon; and a squirrel barrier positioned on said feed,said squirrel barrier including a first surface positioned adjacent saidfeed bed and a second surface positioned about 1.5 inches or less abovesaid first surface, said second surface having openings of 1.5 inches orless for permitting a bird to place its head therethrough, whereby saidsquirrel barrier permits birds to gain access to the feed and preventssquirrels from gaining similar access due to the differences in facialcharacteristics between birds and squirrels.

[0006] While this feeder is largely effective for feeding birds whilebarring squirrels, in practice the seed in the feed bed is notrestrained as securely as it might be, and squirrels which jump up anddown on this feeder can actually vibrate it to shake some of the feed upoff the feed bed and into a position where they can access it. Inaddition, this feeder is somewhat cumbersome to fill. Further, U.S. Pat.No. 5,894,813 does not disclose or suggest how to implement asquirrel-proof bird feeder in the form of the vertical or horizontalbird seed holding vessels that have long been popular among bird feedingenthusiasts.

[0007] Thus, a need exists for a bird feeder that reduces seed waste,undesired access to the seed by other than birds, and clogging.

[0008] In accordance with the above, it is desired to provide a birdfeeder that reduces seed waste.

[0009] It is further desired to provide a bird feeder that reduces oreliminates undesired access to bird feed contained therein by other thanbirds, for example, squirrels.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] Briefly, the present invention satisfies the need for a birdfeeder that reduces seed waste by providing seed access through anopening sized and shaped to reduce the possibility of more than one seedbeing removable by a bird on a given attempt. A specially-designedaccess tunnel around the opening reduces unwanted access by squirrelsand similar animals, as well as clogging.

[0011] The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a bird feeder.The bird feeder comprises a vessel for holding seeds. The vesselincludes a seed opening therein sized and shaped to restrict a number ofseeds extractable on a given attempt.

[0012] The present invention provides, in a second aspect, a method offeeding birds, comprising providing a bird feeder with seeds therein;and limiting access to the seeds through an opening sized and shaped torestrict a number of seeds extractable on a given attempt.

[0013] The present invention provides, in a third aspect, a bird feeder.The bird feeder comprises a vertical tube for dispensing seeds. Thevertical tube includes a seed reservoir coupled to the vertical tube.

[0014] The present invention provides, in a fourth aspect, a birdfeeder. The bird feeder comprises a vessel for holding seeds. The birdfeeder also comprises a housing coupled to the vessel for seeddispensing. An opening in the housing for seed access faces downward.

[0015] The present invention provides, in a fifth aspect, a bird feeder.The bird feeder comprises a vessel for holding seeds. The bird feederfurther comprises an access tunnel external to the vessel and coupledthereto at an opening thereof.

[0016] The present invention provides, in a sixth aspect, a bird feederwith a horizontal vessel for holding seeds.

[0017] In all aspects, the invention enables birds to access the birdfeed while barring squirrels and other animals from doing so.

[0018] In all aspects, the invention comprises at least one seed openingenabling birds to remove said seed therethrough from behind said atleast one seed opening; and at least one access opening comprisingaccess opening dimensions thereof and separated from said seed openingby a separation length therebetween; wherein: said access openingdimensions are sufficiently small and said separation length issufficiently large such that rodents outside said at least one accessopening are prevented by said at least one access opening from reachingtheir mouths through said at least one access opening far enough to feedon seed behind said at least one seed opening; and simultaneously, saidaccess opening dimensions are sufficiently large and said separationlength is sufficiently small such that birds outside said at least oneaccess opening are enabled to reach their beaks through said at leastone access opening far enough to feed on said seed behind said at leastone seed opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forthin the appended claims. The invention, however, together with furtherobjects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference tothe following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing(s) in which:

[0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first example of abird feeder in accordance with the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a plan view of an access tunnel of the bird feeder ofFIG. 1 with a first example of a removable cover for the seed openingfrom the access tunnel into the main bird seed holding vessel.

[0022]FIG. 3 is a plan view depicting a second example of a removable,flexible seed cover for the access tunnel of FIG. 2.

[0023]FIG. 4 is a perspective view depicting a second example of a birdfeeder in accordance with the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a removable cover with flexibleseed cover for a seed opening of the bird feeder of FIG. 4, as well as athird example of a seed cover for the access tunnel of FIG. 2.

[0025]FIG. 6 is a plan view depicting a fourth example of a removable,flexible seed cover for the access tunnel of FIG. 2.

[0026]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the cap of the bird feeder of FIG.4.

[0027]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of one end face of the birdfeeder of FIG. 4.

[0028]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example of an alternativeconfiguration for the access tunnel in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0029]FIG. 10 is a plan view of an example of another alternative forthe seed opening.

[0030]FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a groundstand used in conjunction with the invention.

[0031]FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the exploded componentsof FIG. 11 once they are assembled together.

[0032]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a squirrel-proof suet feeder inaccordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present invention reduces seed waste by providingspecially-designed, covered access to seed used for bird feeding thatreduces a number of seeds that can be removed on a given attempt, andthat also serves to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of undesiredaccess to the seed by other than birds (e.g., rodents, such assquirrels). Thus, bird feeders constructed in accordance with thepresent invention are “squirrel-proof,” as that term is understood inthe industry, without inclusion of the well-known baffles or hoods thathave enjoyed popularity in the recent past.

[0034]FIG. 1 depicts a first example of a bird feeder 10 in accordancewith the present invention. The bird feeder comprises a central,vertical bird seed holding vessel 12, preferably made of a material thatresists being gnawed by rodents (e.g., metal or thick plastic) and willwithstand adverse weather conditions without deteriorating (e.g.,aluminum, stainless steel or thick plastic). Coupled to vessel 12 is ahopper (or reservoir) 14 for holding extra seed. Preferably, like vessel12, reservoir 14 is made of a material that resists being gnawed byrodents and will withstand adverse weather conditions withoutdeteriorating. Also preferably, reservoir 14 is shaped to deter rodentsfrom climbing thereon (e.g., circular). Because typical tube-type birdfeeders which do not comprise reservoirs such as 14 experience seeddepletion, the number of birds that can feed at a given time decreases.This is because as the seed level decreases, the openings into the tubehigher up do not open to seed anymore. The reservoir of the presentinvention prevents or at least puts off this “loss” of feeding birds,which can be disappointing to the bird enthusiast and the birds, bymaintaining a larger supply of seed in reservoir 14 above the tube thatwill drop down into the tube to replace lower seeds as they aredepleted.

[0035] Optionally, coupling vessel 12 and reservoir 14 comprise a seedlevel monitoring means 16 such as, but not limited to, the illustratedarea 16 through which the contents are visible, made of, for example,glass or thick clear plastic. Area 16 provides a visual cue to the birdenthusiast that the seed in the reservoir has been depleted.Alternatively, reservoir 14 itself could be made see-through (e.g.,clear plastic), so long as the see-through material chosen resistsgnawing by rodents. Access to bird seed 18 stored in the vessel isprovided through at least one seed opening (e.g., seed opening 20, shownin phantom) therein. In this illustration the shape of seed opening isovular or round (recognizing that a circle is a specialized case of anoval), though as will be seen later on, there are a range ofconfigurations, e.g., shapes and sizes, for the seed opening which aresuitable for various situations, particularly, in relation to the seedbeing used and the orientation of the seed opening (i.e., horizontal,vertical, or somewhere in between). Seed is stored behind the seedopening, and is accessed from outside the seed opening.

[0036] Coupled to vessel 12 proximate the seed openings are accesstunnels, which, for the feeder of FIG. 1, are oriented substantiallylaterally from said vessel 12. However, this lateral orientation is notat all a limitation of the invention because, although certainorientations are preferred, any orientation is possible. For example, anaccess tunnel 22 is coupled proximate seed opening 20 and envelopes seedopening 20 therewithin as illustrated. Access tunnel 22 is preferablyremovable from vessel 12, but this is not required. Although two accesstunnels 22 are shown in FIG. 1, it will be understood that a greater orlesser number could be provided. Access tunnel 22, like vessel 12 andreservoir 14, is also preferably made of a material that resists beinggnawed by rodents and will withstand adverse weather conditions withoutdeteriorating.

[0037] The access tunnels are preferably sized and shaped to enableperched birds (e.g., birds on perch 24) to access the vessel seedopenings, while discouraging rodents from accessing same. For example, aseparation length 25 of about 1 inch to about 1{fraction (11/2)} incheshas generally been found to be accessible to many common birds, sincethe birds' heads are small enough and their beaks long enough to getthrough this 1 inch to about 1½ inch separation length 25 and extractseed through the seed opening at the inner end (nearest vessel 12) ofthe access tunnel. The access tunnels may also encourage birds to finishthe seeds that are pulled from the seed opening but then dropped, asthese seeds have a place to land and the bird has a nearby place to seta partially eaten seed for returning to and finishing, rather thaneating a portion and dropping the remainder on the ground.

[0038] The shape and dimensions of an access opening on the outerportion of the access tunnel simultaneously bars entry by rodents. Forexample, outer portion 26 of access tunnel 22 is shaped with a slightoverhang at the top, which does not affect access by a perched bird, buthelps to keep out rain, snow and debris, and may also discourage rodentshanging upside down (often the case with, for example, squirrels) onbird feeder 10 from attempting to access the seed. Importantly, whateverthe precise shape of outer portion 26, the rodent's mouth butts upagainst the outer portion of the access tunnel, so that the rodent cannot get its tongue and teeth through the 1 inch to about 1½ inchseparation length 25 in order to access seeds through the seed opening20 at the inner end of the access tunnel.

[0039] The width of main vessel 12 preferably corresponds to the type ofseed being provided. For example, not limitation, using vessel 12 asshown in FIG. 1 with a circular cross-section, the diameter ispreferably about 1½ inches for black oil seed, while for thistle seed,it is preferably no smaller than about 1 inch in diameter.

[0040] As best shown in FIG. 2, access tunnel 22 preferably includes abarring structure 28 such as the illustrated bar across a lower portionof the access tunnel opening 30 thereof. Preferably, an access openinglength 31 between barring structure 28 and a top of access tunnel 22 isbetween about {fraction (7/8)} inch and about 1¾ inch to further preventa rodent (e.g., a squirrel) from effectively getting its mouth insidethe access tunnel, thereby further making it “squirrel-proof.” Absent abarring structure, the total access opening length 31 of access tunnel22 is similarly between about {fraction (7/8)} inch and about 1¾ inch. Awidth 29 of the access tunnel is also preferably about {fraction (7/8)}inch to about 1¼ inches. Length 31 and width 29 will together bereferred to as the access opening dimensions of access opening 30, withthe understanding any particular horizontal, vertical, or otherorientation illustrated herein for the access tunnel does not limit theinvention. That is, it is to be understood that any and all orientationsfor the access tunnel are considered to be within the scope of thisdisclosure and its associated claims. Barring structure 28 provides afurther deterrent to access by rodents, yet does not interfere with aperched bird's access to the seed. Of course, the purpose for thebarring structure 28 (keeping out rodents) might be achieved in otherways. For example, the access tunnel width could be made smaller.However, as a practical matter, this would also require a shorter lengthfor the access tunnel, as birds tend to grow more reluctant to sticktheir heads far enough into the tunnel as it shrinks in width withoutalso shrinking in length. And, barring structure 28 may comprise othersuitable barring means besides a bar.

[0041] In the example of FIG. 2, perching means 24 comprises, forexample, not limitation, plastic coated wire, similar to coat hangerwire. The wire can be shaped into the perch, but optionally,additionally serves the purpose of holding access tunnel 22 to vessel 12via ends 32 and 34 inserted into small aligned openings in the tunneland vessel. When the wire is optionally in a “braided” configuration toprovide optional perch openings along it (e.g., perch opening 27), asshown in FIG. 2, an additional benefit is achieved. Perch opening 27provides a location for a bird to place and hold a seed while crackingthe shell and consuming the “meat” of the seed. The wire is flexibleenough to allow removal of the access tunnel, while being stiff enoughto hold it on the vessel. Of course, other arrangements are possiblewhere the perch is entirely separate from the access tunnel, and hasnothing to do with holding the access tunnel in place. This is merelyone example of how to achieve the preferred removable aspect of theaccess tunnels. Most fundamentally, regardless of how perching means 24is shaped, constructed, and configured, and optionally used to securethe access tunnel, perching means 24 provides a means for a bird toperch thereon with its head and beak proximate the outer portion of theaccess tunnel.

[0042] Also shown in FIG. 2 is seed cover 36 for seed opening 20 invessel 12. The seed cover is preferably made of a flexible material,such as, for example, plastic. The seed opening is designed to restrainthe seed so as to keep seeds from falling out through the seed openingon their own, and so as to minimize the number of seeds that are removedtherethrough on any given attempt (e.g. peck) by a bird to remove theseed. The cover includes a seed opening 38 sized and shaped as a“keyhole” to minimize a number of seeds that can be removed from thevessel on any given attempt, e.g., any given peck, by a perched bird. Inthis case, the seed opening 38 is sized and shaped particularly forsmaller type seeds, such as, for example, thistle seeds. Another exampleis presented in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 depicts a seed cover 40 with a seedopening 42 particularly sized and shaped with an ovular center regionencircled by a plurality of “flanges,” used for larger type seeds, suchas, for example, black oil seeds. Shown in FIG. 6 is still anotherexample of a seed cover 92 with a seed opening 94 particularly sized andshaped in a “part-moon” for larger seeds, such as, for example, blackoil seeds. Although a modular, removable seed cover is preferred, whichallows the size and shape of the seed opening to be changed at will inaccordance with the particular seed being used for feed, it will beunderstood that the seed cover need not be removable, and could, forexample, simply be part of the main vessel.

[0043] Returning to FIG. 1, one example of making vessel 12 andreservoir 14 refillable will now be provided. Bird seed holding vessel12 is closed to hold seed 18 therein through the use of a plunger 50(i.e., a capping means) inserted into main vessel opening 52. Having theopening to the vessel and reservoir point to below helps reduce waterand debris entering. Plunger 50 comprises a head 56 and an optionalhandle 54. Handle 54 may comprise, for example, not limitation, heavygauge wire, while head 56 may comprise, for example, not limitation,foam rubber. In addition, plunger 50 may comprise a brush 58 forcleaning debris from the inside of vessel 12. To fill vessel 12 andreservoir 14, the entire bird feeder 10 is inverted relative to theillustration of FIG. 1, plunger 50 is removed, feed is poured into mainvessel opening 52, plunger 50 is reseated to hold the seed inside, andentire bird feeder 10 with seed inside is again inverted and therebyrestored to the orientation of FIG. 1.

[0044]FIG. 4 depicts another example of a bird feeder 60 in accordancewith the present invention. Bird feeder 60 comprises a horizontal birdseed holding vessel 62. Vessel 62 is preferably made of a material thatresists being gnawed by rodents and will withstand adverse weatherconditions without deteriorating, for example, aluminum or thickplastic. Coupled to an underside of the vessel are a plurality of accesstunnels (e.g., access tunnel 64), similar to the access tunnels of FIG.1, but with differences stemming from their downward orientation. Accesstunnel 64 comprises a section 66 protruding out from vessel 62. A cover68 is placed over access tunnel 64. A hanging perch 70 made of, forexample, optionally plastic coated wire holds the cover on section 66 byplacing each end into aligned holes in section 66 and cover 68 (seeholes 72 and 74 in FIG. 5). But again, most fundamentally, perch 24provides a means for a bird to perch thereon.

[0045] Less preferred, though still within the scope of the invention,the access tunnels can also be upwardly oriented, or indeed, given anydesired orientation.

[0046] The main purpose behind cover 68 will be described with referenceto FIG. 5. Depicted in FIG. 5 is an exploded view of cover 68 holding aseed cover 76 in place via lip 78. Seed cover 76 comprises a seedopening 80 with an ovular center region encircled by a plurality ofslits (e.g., slit 82) particularly sized and shaped for smaller seeds,such as, for example, thistle seeds. The downward-facing nature of theaccess tunnel/seed cover requires a very small seed opening (e.g., about{fraction (1/16)} inch in diameter), as gravity assists the birds inremoving the seed. The downward-facing nature of the access tunnel/seedcover also prevents rain and snow from entering. The slits in the seedcover provide some “give,” for example, if a seed is sideways as it isbeing removed by the bird. While seed opening 38 in seed cover 36 ofFIG. 2 could be used, this is less preferred since seeds could fall outand/or several at a time could be extracted by a bird on a givenattempt.

[0047] Since seed cover 76 and seed opening 80 restrict the number ofseeds that can be removed on a given attempt, and also significantlyreduce the chance of seeds falling out on their own, a vertical accessarrangement is possible. Cover 68 is preferably made of a material thatresists being gnawed by rodents and will withstand adverse weatherconditions without deteriorating, for example, aluminum or thickplastic. Cover 68 being optionally separate from section 66 allows seedcover 76 to be removable and changeable to match with the type of seedbeing provided, as discussed above with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3.Preferably, a distance 86 between the seed covers and their respectiveperch is about 3½ to about 4 inches. If perching distance 86 is tooshort for the birds attempting to be fed, then they cannot access theseeds. Likewise, if perching distance 86 is too long, the birds alsowill not be able to reach the seeds, and typically will not stretch toreach them. Fundamentally perching distance 86 is chosen optimize theability of birds to comfortably access seed through the seed openings.

[0048] Of course, other arrangements for the access tunnel, seed coverand perch are possible. For example, the seed cover need not beremovable. In that case, the seed cover could be integrated into section66. As another example, seed cover 76 could be integrated into cover 68,and cover 68 made changeable for the seed being used. As still a furtherexample, cover 68 could screw onto section 66, rather than being held onby the perch. These, and other variations, will be obvious to someone ofordinary skill and are considered to be within the scope of thisdisclosure and its associated claims.

[0049] Returning again to FIG. 4, bird feeder 60 further comprises onface 100 of vessel 62 capping means 102 (e.g., a screw cap) covering anopening (not shown) into vessel 62 for filling vessel 62 with seed.Attached to cap 102 is a hood 104 for keeping rain, snow and flyingdebris away from a small air opening (106, FIG. 7) in the cap. Opening106 together with an opening 108 on face 110 (similar to face 100) allowthe seed to “breathe” and prevent moisture build-up inside vessel 62. Asshown in FIG. 8, opening 108 is angled downward to prevent entry ofrain, snow and other debris. Preferably, as earlier noted in connectionwith element 16, a level of seed 84 can, in some manner, be discerned,using seed level monitoring means. For example, part or all of vessel 62could be made of thick, clear plastic. Alternatively, part or all ofvessel 62 could be made of, for example, aluminum and include a thick,clear plastic or glass window therein.

[0050] Optionally, bird feeder 60 includes a tray 88 for catching anystray seeds or partially eaten seeds that may fall, thereby furtherreducing waste. Tray 88 is coupled to vessel 62, for example, by heavygauge wire (e.g., wire strand

[0051] While several aspects of the present invention have beendescribed and depicted herein, alternative aspects may be effected bythose skilled in the art to accomplish the same objectives. For example,access tunnels 22 and 64 could be made removable using male/femalecomponents on the tunnels and vessels 12 and 62.

[0052]FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment for access tunnel 22. Inthis embodiment, access tunnel 22 comprises an upper protrusion 91, alower protrusion 95, and a pair of side, bird-viewing recesses 93. Thisembodiment of access tunnel 22 further comprises an alternativeconfiguration for barring structure 28 as well as a dropped seedaperture 96. Also illustrated is seed opening 20, as well as analternative embodiment for perching means 24.

[0053] In particular, smaller birds, when feeding at a bird feeder 10 or60 with access tunnels 22, tend to stick their heads part way intoaccess tunnels 22, thus obscuring the birds' heads from being viewed.While is important to continue to bar access by rodents such assquirrels, it is also desirable to be able to view the heads of thefeeding birds.

[0054] Thus, bird-viewing recesses 93 allow the birds' heads to beviewed while they are feeding, while upper protrusion 91 and lowerprotrusion 95 jut out enough to still bar the squirrel from feeding.Note that lower protrusion 95, preferably, protrudes slightly furtherthan upper protrusion 91, (or, alternatively, vice-versa) but that thisis optional, not required. Such a preferred configuration makes itparticularly difficult for squirrels to feed, since by making oneprotrusion longer than the other, the squirrel is jabbed by the longerprotrusion, thus adding an unpleasant, further deterrent to its effortsto feed.

[0055] Dashed lines 99 are used schematically to illustrate yet anotheralternative configuration for access tunnel 22 in which access tunnel 22is tapered (or funneled) so as to be wider toward the access opening andnarrower back toward seed opening 20. While a bird's beak can easilynavigate such a tapered region, this adds yet another obstacle torodents.

[0056] In the illustrated alternative configuration for optional barringstructure 28, a bar for example, comprising the illustrated rectangularshape shown in solid line or the partial circular or ovular curvature(recognizing that a circle is a special case of an oval) shown in brokenline, protrudes about as far as, or slightly farther than, lowerprotrusion 95. It is also quite helpful for barring structure 28comprise a pair of barring nubs 98 as shown, which protrude into theinterior of access tunnel 22 as shown. Barring nubs 98 add yet anotherobstacle to rodents attempting to reach the feed behind the seedopening, and effectively reduces the access opening dimensions of theaccess tunnel. Barring structure 28 preferably reaches its maximumprotrusion approximately {fraction (1/3)} of the way up from lowerprotrusion 95 toward upper protrusion 91, although it can resideanywhere greater than or equal to ¼ of the way up, less than or equal to¾ of the way up, and preferably less than or equal ½ of the way up. Thisof course provides a further physical bar to squirrels. But, it alsoprovides a comfortable means for a bird perched on perch 24 to obtain aclaw-hold while so-perched, which makes it even easier for the bird tofeed. Particularly, birds will feed in this configuration by resting onthe perch while also holding barring structure 28. In this manner,barring structure 28 serves a dual purpose of barring squirrels andproviding a better claw-hold for birds.

[0057] Perching means 24, which, as noted earlier, can comprise a widerange of materials and have a wide range of configurations within thescope of the invention, is in this configuration placed in such positionrelative to barring structure 28 so as to optimize the ease with which abird can perch while establishing a claw-hold to hold itself in place.Depending on the size and character of the birds to be fed, the relativeconfiguration among perch 24, barring structure 28, and access tunnel 22may be suitably varied in ways that will be obvious to someone ofordinary skill within the scope of this disclosure and its associatedclaims.

[0058] Finally, dropped seed aperture 96 is used to enable some of theseeds dropped by birds to fall through access tunnel 22 to the ground,so these seeds to not attract rodents to the feeder. Particularly,without dropped seed aperture 96, dropped seeds can accumulate (pool) inaccess tunnel 22 in a location accessible to rodents, which isundesirable.

[0059]FIG. 10 is a plan view of an example of another alternative for aseed opening 101 earlier designated in several configurations as 20, 38,42, 80, and 94. This example 101 of a seed opening is shapedsubstantially like a cloverleaf, and is particularly suitable to preventlarger, black oil seeds from falling through the seed opening whilebirds are feeding.

[0060]FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrates a ground feeder stand used inconjunction with the invention. In particular, rather than hang feeder10 or 60 or a similar feeder employing the inventive principles hereindisclosed from a tree or elevated structure (with is often done to avoidsquirrels), it is desirable to place the feeder at eye level, supportedby a surface below the feeder such as the ground or planks of a woodendeck.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the brush 58 of FIG. 1 is removedor eliminated. Once plunger head 56 is inserted into the lower end ofvessel 12, handle 54 thereof is inserted into an upper end of aconnector means 112 such the illustrated connector sleeve, a ground peg114 is slid through a peg sleeve 116 of a feeder stand 118 with at leastthree legs thereof and tightened in place using securing means 119thereby establishing a base structure comprising the feeder stand 118and the ground peg 114 secured thereto, and an upper end of ground peg114 is inserted into a lower end of connector sleeve 112, all asillustrated. This yields the configuration of FIG. 12. Ground peg 114,is preferably tapered 117 at a lower end thereof, so that it can easilybe stuck into the ground, or can be secured, for example, between theplanks of a wooden deck. When ground peg 114 is slid through peg sleeve116 of feeder stand 118 and then tightened using securing means 119, itis tightened in a position so that it dips below the illustrated(unnumbered) legs of feeder stand 118, thus allowing the feeder andstand configuration of FIG. 12 to be firmly planted into the ground oron the deck via the tapered 117 end of ground peg 114. Of course, thisis one example of many ways in which one might secure a feeder to theground or a deck in accordance with the invention.

[0062]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a squirrel-proof suet feeder 130in accordance with the invention. Suet feeder 130 comprises a simplewire cage (or container) with suet feeder openings 131 between the wiresthat are to small for a squirrel to gnaw through, but large enough for abird's beak to peck through. Suet, an animal fat particularly attractiveto woodpeckers, is stuffed into suet feeder 130 and packed tightly. Thismakes the suet accessible for pecking, but the chosen size of the suetfeeder openings 131 combined with the physical nature of animal fatmakes it difficult for rodents to gnaw through suet feeder openings 131.Then, an optional cover 133 is moved and secured 134 to enclose thesuet, or suet feeder 130 is placed in such a way that access to the topopening is blocked). Finally, suet feeder attachment means 132,illustrated schematically by a hook but not limited thereto andencompassing any apparatus known or which may become know in the art tofacilitate the attachment of suet feeder 130 to a fixed location, areused to attach suet feeder to a selected location of feeder 10 or 60, orto another support nearby the feeder.

[0063] While FIGS. 1 and 4 illustrate particular examples of seedholding vessels 12 and 62 that can be used to held seed, it is to beclearly understood that the size and shape of the vessel selected forany particular bird feeder implementation can be widely varied, whilethe seed openings and access tunnels can then be associated with theseed holding vessels in any manner of position, combination,orientation, and configuration, within the scope of this disclosure andits associated claims.

[0064] Particularly, while a number of novel and non-obvious featuresare disclosed and claimed herein, what is most important, irrespectiveof feeder configuration or the configuration of the seed openings andaccess tunnels, is that the access opening dimensions of the accesstunnels be sufficiently small and the separation length of these accesstunnels from the seed openings be sufficiently large such that rodentsoutside the access openings are prevented by the access openings fromreaching their mouths far enough to feed on seed behind the seedopenings; and simultaneously, that the access opening dimensions besufficiently large and the separation length be sufficiently small suchthat birds outside the access openings are enabled to reach their beaksfar enough to feed on the seed behind the seed openings.

[0065] While only certain preferred features of the invention have beenillustrated and described, many modifications and changes will occur tothose skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that theappended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changesas fall within the true spirit of the invention.

1. A bird feeding apparatus, comprising: at least one seed openingenabling birds to remove said seed therethrough from behind said atleast one seed opening; and at least one barring structure establishingat least one access opening with access opening dimensions thereof, andseparated from said seed opening by a separation length therebetween;wherein: said access opening dimensions are sufficiently small and saidseparation length is sufficiently large such that rodents outside saidat least one barring structure are prevented by said at least onebarring structure from reaching their mouths past said at least onebarring structure far enough to feed on seed behind said at least oneseed opening; and simultaneously, said access opening dimensions aresufficiently large and said separation length is sufficiently small suchthat birds outside said at least one barring structure are enabled toreach their beaks past said at least one barring structure far enough tofeed on said seed behind said at least one seed opening.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein: said separation length is greater thanapproximately one inch; and said separation length is less thanapproximately one and one half inches.
 3. A method for feeding birdswhile barring rodents from feeding, comprising the steps of: providingat least one seed opening enabling birds to remove said seedtherethrough from behind said at least one seed opening; furtherproviding at least one barring structure establishing at least oneaccess opening with access opening dimensions thereof, and separatedfrom said seed opening by a separation length therebetween; preventingrodents outside said at least one barring structure from reaching theirmouths past said at least one barring structure far enough to feed onseed behind said at least one seed opening, using said barringstructure, by making said access opening dimensions sufficiently smalland said separation length sufficiently large; and simultaneously,enabling birds outside said at least one barring structure to reachtheir beaks past said at least one barring structure far enough to feedon said seed behind said at least one seed opening by making said accessopening dimensions sufficiently large and said separation lengthsufficiently small.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising thesteps of: providing said separation length to be greater thanapproximately one inch; and providing said separation length to be lessthan approximately one and one half inches.